Jerry J. Larpenter

Friday

Sep 28, 2007 at 9:05 AM

1. Why are you seeking this office, and why should voters support you?

For 20 years, I have served the people of Terrebonne Parish as their Sheriff. In that capacity, I have become very familiar with the needs of our parish and the many assets that we have which can be used to promote our parish as a place to establish a business, buy a home, and raise a family. I have worked first hand over the years with local, state and federal officials, five different Parish Presidents, five different Parish Councils, all of the business groups and economic groups within the parish, the School Board, hospitals, all emergency responders, non-profit organizations and I believe I can best bring all of these groups together to best serve the people of Terrebonne Parish. Finally, having been born and raised in this parish, I care deeply about the future of Terrebonne for ourselves and our children and believe I can best move this parish forward in a manner that will be best for all of the people of Terrebonne Parish.

2. What is your political philosophy, and why do you belong to your political group?

My philosophy is simple. When I first registered to vote, my father, who was a Democrat, encouraged me to register as a Democrat. I did so and remain a Democrat today. However, I have never voted for a man or woman because he or she belonged to a certain political party. I have always voted for a person based upon his or her qualifications and their ability to serve.

3. Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.

It is extremely important that we preserve our Barrier Islands which in turn help stem the tide of erosion and protect our estuaries where our wildlife and seafood predominantly come from. We must lobby Baton Rouge and Washington in a united manner to find funding to help stop coastal erosion and begin the rebuilding process along our coastline if we are to survive as a parish. I will do everything in my power on a local, state and national level to fight the battle against coastal erosion.

4. What do you think the two biggest problems the parish is facing, and what would you do to solve them?

a. Hurricane protection and drainage: In order to solve these issues, I would continue to work on existing projects, such as Morganza to the Gulf and the WRDA Bill, together with all the groups that have done such an excellent job thus far regarding these two projects. However, it is imperative we do something immediately and it is very apparent that we have to act by ourselves and not wait on the State or Washington to help us. I would propose work on existing levees to reinforce them and in order to accomplish that, we need to immediately purchase equipment, such as excavators and draglines. This will allow us to maintain the integrity of existing levees and to do work to ensure that our drainage canals and ditches are properly cleaned to allow maximum flow.

b. Infrastructure needs: I would continue the work that has been started regarding various road and bridge projects, such as Hollywood Road, Prospect Street bridge, Country Drive, Valhi, etc. It is important that we maintain a close working relationship with our state and federal officials so that we can request our fair share of government dollars to assist, if not pay for all of these projects. We cannot grow as a parish, nor can we adequately protect our citizens in a time of emergency if we do not have proper roads and bridges.

5. Opinions on coastal restoration and hurricane protection plans.

In a perfect world, it would be great to have funding which would take care of Barrier Island problems, coastal erosion and hurricane levees. However, the federal government appears to have forgotten Terrebonne Parish insofar as funding for these matters is concerned. It appears that a levee system is not going to be built in Terrebonne Parish, such as Morganza to the Gulf, unless the citizens of Terrebonne Parish fund same. With that in mind, we need to make sure that if monies are appropriated for the hurricane protection and levee projects, the funds are truly spent on those projects and that the public is informed throughout the whole building process where their tax dollars are going. We also need a sunset provision and the financing of these projects to maintain the integrity of same.

6. Escalating costs of homeowners’ insurance.

This is a national problem that we face in all areas of insurance, not just homeowners. As a local official, we have to look to the state and federal government to help solve these problems. As Parish President, I certainly can lobby the legislature and speak to our congressional delegation and others in Washington about the concerns and needs of our residents in Terrebonne. However, remember that the Commissioner of Insurance at the state level would be the individual, along with the governor and the legislature, to be the primary leaders with respect to these insurance problems.

7. Parish-owned utility system.

It is important to get all of the facts before any decision is made regarding the sale, lease or the maintaining of our city utility system. The committee, which was appointed by the Council and headed by Charles Theriot, to give us an opinion regarding this matter, should be heard and then, following public meetings and discussion between all interested parties, an informed decision should be made.

8. Zoning.

Zoning is a regulatory tool that is used to implement the land use policies detailed in the Comprehensive Plan. Because the imposition of zoning ultimately requires the Parish Council to adopt an ordinance, the recommendation for zoning comes from the Planning Commission after lengthy study and public hearings. Strictly speaking, it is not the Parish President’s responsibility to say which area of the parish should be zoned next, but I could support such an ordinance if one made it to my desk for signature. Although the City of Houma has enjoyed zoning protections for about 30 years, and the Parish Council just voted to extend zoning into two fast growing areas in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, there are areas of the parish where zoning regulations may never be considered by the Planning Commission due to the development threshold detailed in the Comprehensive Plan.

9. Anti-Crime Measures.

As Parish President, I have no control over the Sheriff’s Office as it is a constitutional office. However, because I do recommend and request the Council to fund the City Police, I believe it is imperative that the City Police be properly funded so that they can protect all of the citizens within the City of Houma. The City Police are doing a good job, but I believe they can do more if they are given the funds they need to fight the war on drugs by hiring individuals who would be Narcotics Officers to deal specifically with that problem. Over the past twenty years, as Sheriff, our Narcotics Division has been the main force in all of Terrebonne Parish (including the City) in this war against drugs. We also need to make sure that the City Police have the best equipment available to handle their other needs in their day to day operations.

10. Parish’s biggest infrastructure needs.

Terrebonne Parish has experienced tremendous growth in its economic development. Our shopping areas, transportation of our seafood products, the port, the airport, medical facilities, and our oilfield industries make a heavy demand on all roads within our parish. We have not kept up with our infrastructure needs to meet the demands caused by this economic development. Obviously, Terrebonne Parish does not have the money to pay for these infrastructure requirements/improvements. We must look to the state and federal government for help in funding roadway and bridge projects, and we must continue to look into the future to determine where needs will be necessary ten to twenty years in the future. New developments, such as subdivisions, should be closely watched for their impact on existing roadways in order for us to adequately meet new demands. Input from developers, builders, and private industry, working with local government, are absolutely necessary to deal with present and future infrastructure problems.

INDICATE YOUR PREFERENCES

A) Land-use laws should be expanded to the unincorporated parts of the parish. Agree somewhat.

B) Improving drainage is one of the parish’s most pressing needs. Strongly agree.

C) The stricter building codes are necessary and should be followed to the letter. Strongly agree.

D) The structural integrity of our levees should take precedence over landowners’ wishes for a culvert or bridge. Strongly agree.

E) New development should be limited in flood-prone areas. Agree.

F) The Houma Police Department should be consolidated with the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office. Strongly disagree.

G) The city limits should be expanded. Neutral.

H) The parish should pass another tax to pay for hurricane protection until Morganza to the Gulf is built. Agree somewhat.

I) Parish government should have more say over mental-care services offered in Terrebonne. Agree somewhat.

Previous Public Offices: Elected six times as Sheriff of Terrebonne Parish, (1) Unexpired term, (5) Full terms

Previous Attempts at Public Office: None.

Education: Terrebonne High School graduate, One year of college while in Air Force.

Two Endeavors: Having been Sheriff of Terrebonne Parish for the past 20 years, I have been on the front line in every major hurricane and natural disaster which struck Terrebonne Parish. I would like to think my role and efforts as Sheriff have been shown many times over in helping the people of this parish.

Volunteer Efforts: I am proud to have helped every major civic and charitable organization over the past 20 years, either through fund-raising efforts or through the Sheriff’s Office Inmate Work Program which I initiated. In 50 words or less, what special skills, schooling or experiences best qualify you for this elective office.

My work as a public servant for the past thirty-five years have enabled me to work with people in all walks of life. I feel I am an excellent communicator and problem solver who understand the needs of every person in Terrebonne Parish. (Refer to Answer to Question No. 1).

How can voters contact you?

Jerry J. Larpenter for Parish President

Campaign Headquarters

1356 B West Tunnel Blvd. (70360)

P. O. Box 950 (70361)

Houma, La.

(985) 876-2427 – Telephone

(985) 876-7316 – Facsimile

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